Metallica Fans Riot After India Show Cancellation

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GURAGAON, INDIA (CBS SF) – Riots erupted in Gurgaon, India, on Friday after Metallica scrapped their concert due to “technical reasons” just hours before show time. Dozens of fans rushed the stage and vandalized equipment following the cancellation of Metallica’s first-ever concert in India, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Concert promoters blamed a faulty security barricade for the last-minute cancellation. Video footage (below) shows audience members launching bottles and chairs at the LED video screens, resulting in an estimated $200,000 in damage.

Prior to the chaos, Metallica issued a statement on their website, explaining they were “deeply disappointed” about the gig’s cancellation. The band added, “We arrived in Delhi on Friday very excited and ready to play our first show ever in India at the F1 Rocks concert. However, immediately at the end of our afternoon press conference at a hotel near the venue, we were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans.”

Friday’s concert cancellation has since resulted in criminal charges against the concert’s promoters. Police arrested four executives of Bangalore-based DNA Entertainment over the weekend on reported fraud charges.

Despite Friday’s debacle, Metallica performed Sunday in Bangalore, India, at the Palace Grounds before an estimated 50,000 fans. Metallica frontman James Hetfield told the crowd, “India has been a life-changing experience for us.”